Architect Orlando Denardi makes use of adobe brick, tropical crops, and big sliders to offer an ’80s penthouse a vivid, new outlook.
Orlando Denardi and Arthur Machado had two necessities after they have been searching for a brand new house in São Paulo: to be nearer to their pals, and to discover a unit with devoted outside area. “That was the dream,” Orlando says.
On the time, they lived in a far-flung space, so socializing meant taking a taxi or a number of trains—they usually craved a connection to the outside, though they knew it was a giant ask in a dense metropolis of high-rise buildings. “We’re piled up, and getting extra piled up as time goes by,” says Arthur.
Happily, one of many couple’s hobbies is scrolling actual property listings, so solely six months handed earlier than they discovered a penthouse house within the Pinheiros neighborhood. The constructing—which neighbors name the Cenourão, or “massive carrot”—was initially designed by architect Ary de Queiroz Barros within the early ’80s, and the couple clarify that it was noteworthy for its concentrate on duplex flats.

Architect Orlando Denardi and husband Arthur Machado (pictured with their cat, Theo) purchased their São Paulo, Brazil house in 2021. It was a fortunate discover: a penthouse with a patio and two flooring unfold throughout 1,345 sq. toes.
Photograph: Andre Mortatti
In conventional penthouses, says Arthur, the terrace is situated off the higher degree and separated from the primary residing areas, that are normally on the decrease degree. “Then you need to put in one other half bathtub and kitchen upstairs to entertain,” says Arthur. The Cenourão penthouse plan is flipped, with the terrace off the lower-level front room. “On this case, the configuration is sort of a dwelling,” provides Orlando. “The social areas are downstairs, with the outside.”
Nonetheless, the remainder of the ground plan suffered from tight, compartmentalized rooms, some with triangular corners and diagonal partitions. “I took some time to see the potential, as a result of it was very segmented,” says Arthur—however Orlando, being an architect, knew precisely learn how to proceed.
Earlier than: Entry and Dwelling Room

Earlier than: There was beforehand a powder room and a laundry room to the facet of the entry. Angled partitions jutted into the outside terrace, which was occupied by an elevated deck.
Courtesy of Orlando Denardi
After: Entry and Dwelling Room

Orlando relocated the powder room and laundry to position the lounge off the outside area and open up the plan. The entry is wrapped in light-toned wooden that blends with the adobe brick in the lounge. The Nós armchair is a limited-edition piece from Vírgula Ovo.
Photograph: Andre Mortatti
See the total story on Dwell.com: Earlier than & After: You’d By no means Guess This Tiny Oasis Is within the Center of São PauloAssociated tales:Earlier than & After: An L.A. Music Producer’s Newest Collab? Turning a Midcentury Into His Household HomeAn Angular Black Residence Finds Concord With Its Surrounding MeadowA Renovation Turned It Right into a Cottage—However You’d Suppose It Was Nonetheless Simply an Previous Barn